Andrew Thompson appears most often in cases where serious Sexual Offences are alleged, in particular those involving vulnerable or child witnesses, and defendants who have mental health or learning disabilities. His recent caseload includes alleged sexual offences in schools and care homes, by medical practitioners, and within youth groups and charitable organisations. Andrew has extensive experience in cases involving allegations of Murder & Manslaughter, serious assaults and of non-accidental injuries to children or vulnerable adults. Other areas of practice include Drugs Offences, public disorder, Business Crime & Fraud and Money Laundering & Proceeds of Crime. Andrew is an accomplished communicator with an excellent jury manner, highly effective cross-examination and tactical skills and has a keen eye for detail.
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Chris is cited in both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK directories. He is a highly regarded criminal advocate who both defends and prosecutes. He provides leadership when leading large teams, brings strategic oversight to complex issues and is a highly persuasive advocate. His client care is excellent, and he has an approachable manner, instilling his clients with confidence in even the most challenging situations. His work covers a broad range of disciplines. He has extensive experience in Murder & Manslaughter, Fraud, Serious & Organised crime, serious Sexual Offences, road transport and regulatory work, and has appeared in a wide range of courts and tribunals. Many of his cases have involved very young and vulnerable witnesses, and he has represented many young and vulnerable clients. He has experience of prosecuting cases for the CPS (including the Complex Case Unit), DVSA, GMC and local authorities. Chris defends both private individuals and companies and has particular expertise in the road transport and regulatory field; he works throughout the England and Wales both in courts, tribunals and in an advisory capacity. He has also advised in a broad range of cases including IPCC submissions as well as utilising his forensic skills to assist in civil litigation.
Cyrus Shroff appears on the CPS List of Advocates at Grade 4 but undertakes work both as defence and prosecution counsel. Called in 1983, his practice covers all aspects of Crime, and consists of cases of Murder & Manslaughter, Sexual Offences, Drug Offences, Serious Violence and Proceeds of Crime, amongst other criminal matters. He has particular aptitude for serious cases of a violent or sexual nature and has conducted cases of homicide both as leading counsel and junior counsel. He has acted as leading counsel for the defence and the Crown. He also has experience in the High Court and in various more isolated areas such as bigamy. He has been on the CPS Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (“RASSO”) list since its introduction and has extensive experience of dealing with ‘vulnerable’ witnesses. He is an approved facilitator for training in this field. He has been described as having a particularly effective manner when defending in cases of a sensitive nature and is often instructed for both sides in the youth court. He has been instructed on many of the most serious cases by the CPS and defence solicitors.
David is a skilled and experienced lawyer who has been described as a strong advocate who will give robust advice where necessary. He is a formidable jury advocate who is able to advance purposefully his client’s case whilst engaging the interest of the jury. David enjoys a balanced practice of both prosecution and defence work. David is regularly instructed in serious sexual offence cases and has strong client and witness empathy, as well as the ability to deal with vulnerable witnesses. David also frequently acts as leading counsel in large-scale frauds and organised crime cases and undertakes complex advisory work for local authorities.
Instructed as sole or led junior to prosecute and defend complex criminal and quasi-criminal cases, specialising in fraud and other financial misconduct in both criminal and civil jurisdictions. Including highly complex asset freezing, forfeiture, and confiscation proceedings. Hal is a CPS Grade 4 prosecutor on both the Crown Prosecution Service Specialist Fraud panel and Proceeds of Crime panel and is routinely instructed at a pre-charge stage to advise in multi-handed cases of real public importance, more often than not including a multi-jurisdictional element. This includes investigations by the Serious Fraud Office, CPS Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate and CPS Proceeds of Crime division, the Financial Conduct Authority, and Insolvency Service. The focus of Hal’s practice is (prosecuting and defending) significant fraud and tax fraud offences where quantum is significantly in excess of £100M, allied money laundering, and subsequent confiscation proceedings. He is currently instructed in a number of international fraud/corruption investigations involving multinational corporates and cross-border bribery allegations, including section 7 Bribery Act 2010 (the corporate failure to prevent). Hal has advised on internal investigations relating to financial misconduct by major financial institutions, deferred prosecution agreements, and breaches of domestic money laundering regulations. Hal’s experience encompasses cases alleging conspiracy to cheat, conspiracy to defraud (including unlawful means), all other serious fraud type offences, money laundering (often with an international element), false accounting and Company Act offences, and large-scale benefit offences. Hal has particular expertise in complex VAT fraud, criminal tax avoidance and MTIC fraud, related money laundering, and in the recovery of the proceeds of crime under both pre, and post Proceeds of Crime Act legislation. He is regularly instructed in confiscation hearings where benefit figures are in excess of £10m, allied enforcement proceedings, and on applications pursuant to section 22 and 23 PoCA 2002. Hal has relevant experience at first instance and in the appellate courts in relation to asset freezing and forfeiture under both criminal and civil regimes. Hal has direct experience of AF powers arising from the Criminal Finances Act 2017 including where criminal proceedings were either not pursued or were inappropriate and has advised on the interplay between and decisions to pursue civil as against criminal forfeiture processes. Hal has a detailed knowledge (in particular as nominated disclosure counsel) of specialist areas including PII, Regulation of Investigatory Powers, the operation of the SAR regime, the obtaining and use of evidence from foreign jurisdictions and other disclosure and evidence gathering issues – including in the context of restraint and asset forfeiture/confiscation. He routinely works in conjunction with (internal and external) forensic accountants and financial investigators both pre and post charge and has significant experience in and regularly advises on the restraint and recovery of assets in the context of police and HMRC investigations relating to asset tracing, tax misconduct and restraint.
Jade is a specialist in Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary and Investigations work, with wide in-house experience. Jade has returned to the Bar after eight years working in a senior decision making and advisory role, as a case examiner at the General Medical Council. Jade specialised in the fitness to practise of doctors, in particular deciding whether a doctor’s fitness to practise may be impaired, and what sanction was necessary to ensure patient safety. Jade specialised in cases involving both complex clinical and conduct allegations, in particular where the conduct was subject to criminal proceedings. She has extensive experience in fitness to practise cases involving domestic violence, serious sexual assault, rape and child sex offences. Called in 2012, Jade undertook a mixed crime and civil pupillage. Jade has prosecuted and defended in a wide range of criminal matters in the Magistrates’, Youth and Crown courts. In 2014 Jade procured a secondment as in-house counsel for the Environment Agency. Before practising at the Bar, Jade worked as a casework manager for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (now IOPC). Jade also worked within the Counter Terrorism Division of the CPS.
Jamie Sawyer has extensive general Crime experience, both defending and prosecuting in courts throughout Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk as well as conducting appellate work before the Court of Appeal. His practice principally covers Fraud, Sexual Offences, Serious & Organised Crime, Serious Violence, Offences, Murder & Manslaughter, Road Traffic Offences and Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary matters. Jamie has been instructed as junior counsel in relation to a number of large-scale murder enquiries. Most recently, Jamie has acquired a high level of experience in the area of pre-recorded cross-examinations of vulnerable witnesses (under s 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999). His fair and balanced courtroom manner lends itself well to cases involving such witnesses. Jamie also acts for local authorities and in particular in relation to Trading Standards matters. He has been involved in several major prosecutions of businesses, and regularly advises local authorities on Investigations as well as acting in proceedings on their behalf.
Jane is currently ranked as a leading junior for her expertise in Crime and Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary matters. She has built a strong all-round criminal practice. As well as accepting instructions from a number of highly respected defence firms, Jane is a CPS Panel Advocate (Grade 4) and has also prosecuted on behalf of various public and private bodies, including the Health and Safety Executive, RSPCA, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and local authorities. Her practice embraces the entire range of criminal conduct. She is an extremely experienced jury advocate, and has appeared before the appellate courts on numerous occasions. She is a persuasive advocate and an adept technical lawyer with the organisational and communication skills necessary for varied and complicated cases. As a prosecutor, Jane is fair but robust, and works well as part of a team. As a defender she is tenacious and committed, and takes very seriously the trust reposed in her by her clients. Her commitment to detailed case analysis, combined with her intellect and friendly manner, have enabled her to build a successful and diverse practice as a criminal and regulatory barrister. She is expert at witness handling, both in examination-in-chief and cross-examination, and has a style which adapts easily to the various different forums in which she appears.
Joe maintains a busy, solid practice, both alone and as led junior, prosecuting and defending across the full range of criminal offences. Joe’s practice is predominantly in the Crown Court but he also maintains a Magistrates’ and Youth Court practice, delivering effective advocacy in those fast-paced jurisdictions. Joe is a Grade 3 prosecutor and a RASSO panel advocate. He brings focused preparation, robust advocacy, a down to earth approach and sensitive interpersonal skills to all his cases. In April 2015, he moved to independent practice at Red Lion Chambers after a successful two-and-a-half years with the CPS, where he gained experience and skills that continue to serve him today. Based in Red Lion Chambers’ Chelmsford Annexe, Joe regularly appears across East Anglia, but also accepts instructions in London and nationally.
Laura has developed a thriving Crime practice and appears regularly on the South Eastern Circuit. Laura is a robust advocate, whose meticulous approach to preparation allows her to present cases concisely and persuasively. Laura is known for having a consistently high level of oral and written advocacy. She is able to assimilate large quantities of information quickly, allowing her to present it in a jury-friendly manner, and to prepare persuasive and detailed legal arguments. She has a logical approach to factually complex cases, which is of particular value in Serious & Organised Crime cases, such as Drug Offences and Human Trafficking, involving the assimilation of large quantities of telephonic material. She has particular expertise in dealing with cases involving gang evidence or complex/ sensitive issues of disclosure. Meanwhile, her approachable and reassuring manner, have allowed her to develop other areas of her practice, including work involving Sexual Offences. She has undertaken and organised specific courses to hone her ability to deal with vulnerable parties, especially in relation to sexual offences.
Lucy is a tenacious barrister with an impressive academic background. She brings tactical acumen to all her cases and offers a robust and persuasive approach. Lucy has substantial experience prosecuting and defending in cases involving Crime and Sexual Offences and is a member of the CPS Advocate Panel (Grade 3). Lucy is also an experienced Inquests & Inquiries barrister as well as being experienced in cases involving Business Crime & Fraud. She is a diligent and efficient junior and has been led in a variety of cases, including allegations of murder, causing an explosion likely to endanger life and historic Sexual Offences. Lucy has also developed notable experience of large-scale reviews, particularly involving Fraud & Business Crime. She has extensive knowledge of the disclosure process having assisted with disclosure on major prosecutions, including by the SFO. Lucy is currently instructed as part of the team of counsel assisting Dame Linda Dobbs DBE with the Dame Linda Dobbs Review, considering whether the issues relating to HBOS Reading were investigated and appropriately reported to authorities at the time by Lloyds Banking Group, following its acquisition of HBOS. .
Marc is an experienced Crime practitioner who prosecutes and defends as both a leading and led junior across Murder & Manslaughter, Serious Violence, Sexual Offences, and Business Crime & Fraud matters. He has a particular expertise in cases that involve the use and misuse of technology. He undertakes cases involving hacking, the creation of malevolent software; and general computer enabled crime such as manufacture and distribution of indecent material. He also undertakes some quasi-criminal Public & Administrative Law work, and regularly appears on behalf of the Criminal Cases Review Commission in Judicial Review proceedings. Marc was appointed to grade 4 on the CPS General Crime Panel in December 2019. He was appointed to the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences panel in 2015.
Matthew Sorel-Cameron is a robust and persuasive advocate advising on Business Crime & Fraud, Serious & Organised Crime, Serious Violence, Sexual Offences, Road Traffic Offences and Inquests & Inquiries. He brings a forensic approach to cases. His skill, tactical acumen and judgement have helped him develop a successful and diverse practice. He has significant experience in representing vulnerable clients and handling vulnerable witnesses. Matthew defends and is also regularly instructed to represent the Crown Prosecution Service. He is Grade 4 on the CPS Advocate Panel for General Crime, and is on the Fraud, Serious Crime and RASSO panels.
Nicola is an experienced senior junior who both prosecutes and defends in the full spectrum of Crime cases encompassing Murder & Manslaughter, Sexual Offences (including historical sexual abuse), neglect, and large scale Drugs Offences conspiracies. She is regularly instructed in cases involving vulnerable witnesses or defendants where she is recognised for her excellent witness and client management skills.
Richard is a fearless Crime advocate who acts for both the prosecution and the defence. Early years of practice included work in civil litigation, family law and employment law; this developed over time into a practice specialising in the prosecution and defence of the most serious and complex crime cases. Richard has a broad Crime practice and has developed a particular expertise in serious Sexual Offences, particularly those with troublesome evidential elements. Richard is also very experienced in complex, often high profile, multi-handed Murder & Manslaughter, Serious Violence and Drugs Offences cases. These cases often bring complex issues such as PII, young or otherwise vulnerable witnesses or defendants and contested DNA evidence. Richard is regularly instructed in cases led by Queen’s Counsel and as leading junior counsel. His meticulous attention to detail, his ability to quickly distil and tackle the real issues and his charming and persuasive jury manner make him a formidable opponent in any case. He has a particular specialism in cases which involve the collation and analysis of voluminous amounts of documentation (such as telephone data or accounting documents) and cases which involve vulnerable defendants or witnesses. Richard has been a grade 4 prosecutor on the CPS Advocates Panel and on the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) panel since their inception. He has lectured fellow professionals on vulnerable witnesses and the use of the Advocates Toolkit. For a number of years Richard has been cited by the Legal 500 as being a leading junior barrister and he has been ranked in ‘Tier 1’ in both 2016 and 2017.
Simon Spence KC undertakes an even mix of prosecuting and defending Crime work across East Anglia and London. Before taking silk, he worked regularly as a leading junior and often led in high-profile cases. In 2008 he was the prosecution junior in the successful prosecution of Steve Wright, the man accused of murdering five Ipswich women.
Stephen is a specialist criminal practitioner who both prosecutes and defends in serious crime. He lives in Essex and appears regularly in courts in East Anglia. He is often instructed to appear as leading counsel.
Steven Dyble’s practice covers all areas of criminal defence work with a particular emphasis on homicide, Sexual Offences, Drug Offences, Fraud and money laundering. He regularly accepts leading briefs and is instructed by many of the leading solicitors undertaking criminal work. He is authorised to undertake direct professional access work.
Tom Payne specialises in Business Crime & Fraud (particularly cases of financial crime involving complex issues of taxation, accountancy and money laundering) and complex general Crime. He is routinely instructed in cases of unusual complexity or sensitivity (e.g. EncroChat, Hillsborough), and his career has included a number of legal firsts: the first paperless criminal trials in England and Wales using EPE and iPad jury bundles in a series of highly complex tax frauds; the first prosecutions for the cartel offence; the first prosecution arising from the Victims Right of Review scheme; and the first prosecution for offences under s2(16) CJA 1988. He is regularly instructed in major cases by the CPS, FRC, and SFO.